Sorry - another tablet/ipad question

jackieblack

Hi
I know that there are LOADS of threads already on this, and I have read through a lot of them, but am still no clearer about what I need/want.

I've been looking at tablets for a while and have totally confused myself

I'll start by confessing that, although I'm fine with computers, I can't get my head around smartphones/iphones etc. My daughter has Blackberry and that's like a whole new world to me. I know that I'm in danger of losing touch with all the new stuff going on so I really need to take a deep breath and jump in.

I'm considering either a Nexus 7 or an ipad mini.
Could someone explain what, in simple terms, the main differences are in day-to-day functionality, please?

These are my current thoughts:

Initially, whatever I buy I will use mainly for emails and web browsing, although once I get to grips with anything/everything else they can do I'm sure that will soon be expanded. I'm sure that I will continue using my laptop, although I've heard people say that once they have their tablet their laptops just end up gathering dust.

One of my main reasons for having one is to use while travelling, just for the convenience of them being thinner/lighter/more convenient. Backing up photos is pretty crucial for me on holiday. I understand Nexus 7 has limited storage that isn't easily expandable? (Although I could continue to take my laptop as well if necessary)

My daughter is hoping to go to Uni next year and hopes to get either an iphone or an ipad before then so not sure if that means I'd be better off with an ipad too?

Can you print from either nexus tablet or an ipad? (I have colleagues who've mentioned having to email stuff to themselves to print out)

I'm sort of thinking that either tablet will doe most things an iphone/android phone does just without the ability to make 'phone calls or text, which is fine for me.

A 7 inch screen would be easier for me than a phone screen (middle-age eye sight deterioration :D) but I think a 10 inch screen might be too big for me to carry around conveniently.

We have a trip at Christmas and it could be quite important for me to be able to use a particular app that is available for ipad/pods and android devices (but not available for Windows) so I'd like to be fairly familiar with whatever I decide on before the trip.

Can someone help me get my head around the relative merits/disadvantages of one over the other, please?

Sorry for the long post
Thanks

googler

To save us all typing out what's been said already;

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/tablets/ipad-vs-android-tablets.htm

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews/tablets/3409131/google-nexus-10-vs-apple-ipad-4-tablet-comparison-review/

etc., along with other google results from

"ipad android comparison" or
"ipad vs android"
or similar terms ...

MandyAW92

These tabs will be able to do anything that you want from them, but as you say you will be taking it around with you alot, then i would go for the iPad Mini as it has a superior battery life

Lagoon

I can only answer your questions from the point of view of an iPad owner. I've never seen a Nexus tablet in person, let alone used one.

Anyway:

Initially, whatever I buy I will use mainly for emails and web browsing, although once I get to grips with anything/everything else they can do I'm sure that will soon be expanded. I'm sure that I will continue using my laptop, although I've heard people say that once they have their tablet their laptops just end up gathering dust.

This was true for me. I'm selling my netbook because I just don't use it. However, I personally would struggle to use the 'Mini' screen full-time, I imagine.

One of my main reasons for having one is to use while travelling, just for the convenience of them being thinner/lighter/more convenient. Backing up photos is pretty crucial for me on holiday. I understand Nexus 7 has limited storage that isn't easily expandable? (Although I could continue to take my laptop as well if necessary)

If you use Cloud storage, you have much more space available. Personally, I use Dropbox and upload photographs and videos to there. That way, I don't have them taking up space on my iPad. For Apple devices, there's also iCloud which can be used for backup/storage and is easy to activate.

My daughter is hoping to go to Uni next year and hopes to get either an iphone or an ipad before then so not sure if that means I'd be better off with an ipad too?

This won't really make a difference. Go for the one you feel happiest with.

Can you print from either nexus tablet or an ipad? (I have colleagues who've mentioned having to email stuff to themselves to print out)

I think this depends on the printer. Personally I have a wireless Canon Pixma printer, and there's an app that connects my iPad to my printer so that I just need to select an image and print it. I suggest looking into the printer you have, and finding out if that make/model includes an app (assuming your printer is wireless).

I'm sort of thinking that either tablet will doe most things an iphone/android phone does just without the ability to make 'phone calls or text, which is fine for me.

That's right. Do remember that if you go for an iPad there are WiFi and 3g/WiFi models. If you're just planning on using WiFi at home, then a WiFi-enabled iPad will be fine. With 3G you can get a SIM card and connect on the go.

A 7 inch screen would be easier for me than a phone screen (middle-age eye sight deterioration ) but I think a 10 inch screen might be too big for me to carry around conveniently.


I think you'd be surprised by the portability of a 10in screen. My iPad fits into my handbag and goes everywhere with me - it's light and thin, so doesn't get in the way. It's worth having a look at one in person, and feeling the weight whilst considering the size of your handbag (don't go trying that bit out in the shop!), as a larger screen size I think is much more convenient for long-term use and for dealing with photographs etc.

We have a trip at Christmas and it could be quite important for me to be able to use a particular app that is available for ipad/pods and android devices (but not available for Windows) so I'd like to be fairly familiar with whatever I decide on before the trip.

Can someone help me get my head around the relative merits/disadvantages of one over the other, please?

Again, I can't speak for the Nexus but found the iPad (my first Apple device) to be very intuitive. Mine is used to business and leisure - I do a lot of my work on the go, I use it for photographs/editing, I have a few games on there, some books, I deal with emails and I can update the company website and phone system with it. For me, it was a great laptop replacement but I wouldn't want to go down to a smaller screen.

ballyblack

unless you are an Apple addict buy the Nexus 7, is cheaper and does the job brilliantly



.

jackieblack

ballyblack wrote: »

unless you are an Apple addict buy the Nexus 7, is cheaper and does the job brilliantly

On the contrary, I've previously been pretty anti-Apple, mainly because everyone I know who has them are so rabid about how marvellous they are and how nothing else could come close to their wonderful-ness, it just put my back up and I dug my heels in

redfragglebiker

Another vote for the Nexus 7 here. It's a fab bit of kit, very useable, very reliable and there are apps you can get to connect with certain printers so you can print documents, pictures etc. I've had mine for over a year now and wouldn't be without it. Don't forget teh current Nexus may drop in price soon as the new Nexus tablet has just been annouced (sorry can't remember the release date for the new one but I think it's later this year!)

jackieblack

Thanks for your reply

Lagoon wrote: »

Initially, whatever I buy I will use mainly for emails and web browsing, although once I get to grips with anything/everything else they can do I'm sure that will soon be expanded. I'm sure that I will continue using my laptop, although I've heard people say that once they have their tablet their laptops just end up gathering dust.

This was true for me. I'm selling my netbook because I just don't use it. However, I personally would struggle to use the 'Mini' screen full-time, I imagine.

I can't imagine stopping using my laptop - it's taken me 11 years to migrate my main usage from a desktop to a laptop!

Lagoon wrote: »

One of my main reasons for having one is to use while travelling, just for the convenience of them being thinner/lighter/more convenient. Backing up photos is pretty crucial for me on holiday. I understand Nexus 7 has limited storage that isn't easily expandable? (Although I could continue to take my laptop as well if necessary)

If you use Cloud storage, you have much more space available. Personally, I use Dropbox and upload photographs and videos to there. That way, I don't have them taking up space on my iPad. For Apple devices, there's also iCloud which can be used for backup/storage and is easy to activate.

I've now read that neither the IPad nor the Nexus have expandable memory . TBH our broadband connection is not reliable enough for my to be able to rely on storage ;in the cloud'. I've tried it and just found myself incredibly frustrated at not being able to access things when I need to :think:

Lagoon wrote: »

My daughter is hoping to go to Uni next year and hopes to get either an iphone or an ipad before then so not sure if that means I'd be better off with an ipad too?

This won't really make a difference. Go for the one you feel happiest with.

My daughter keeps talking about 'Face time' (?) :huh:
I don't do Skype as it tends to kill my broadband connection

Lagoon wrote: »

Can you print from either nexus tablet or an ipad? (I have colleagues who've mentioned having to email stuff to themselves to print out)

I think this depends on the printer. Personally I have a wireless Canon Pixma printer, and there's an app that connects my iPad to my printer so that I just need to select an image and print it. I suggest looking into the printer you have, and finding out if that make/model includes an app (assuming your printer is wireless).

Current printer not wireless, but when it dies we'll probably replace it with a wireless one as that's the way everything seems to be going...

Lagoon wrote: »

I'm sort of thinking that either tablet will do most things an iphone/android phone does just without the ability to make 'phone calls or text, which is fine for me.

That's right. Do remember that if you go for an iPad there are WiFi and 3g/WiFi models. If you're just planning on using WiFi at home, then a WiFi-enabled iPad will be fine. With 3G you can get a SIM card and connect on the go.

I'm thinking that the Wi-Fi will probably do me fine. I don't think I'd use 3G enough to want to pay a monthly charge (which is how I'm guessing it would work? :huh:)

Lagoon wrote: »

A 7 inch screen would be easier for me than a phone screen (middle-age eye sight deterioration ) but I think a 10 inch screen might be too big for me to carry around conveniently.


I think you'd be surprised by the portability of a 10in screen. My iPad fits into my handbag and goes everywhere with me - it's light and thin, so doesn't get in the way. It's worth having a look at one in person, and feeling the weight whilst considering the size of your handbag (don't go trying that bit out in the shop!), as a larger screen size I think is much more convenient for long-term use and for dealing with photographs etc.

I'm familiar with size of a 10inch iPad (colleagues) and my feeling is that it is too big for me.
I'm 99% sure it wouldn't fit in any of my handbags (and I can't use it as an excuse to buy more handbags )

Lagoon wrote: »

Again, I can't speak for the Nexus but found the iPad (my first Apple device) to be very intuitive.

That's reassuring, thanks

Lagoon wrote: »

Mine is used to business and leisure - I do a lot of my work on the go, I use it for photographs/editing, I have a few games on there, some books, I deal with emails and I can update the company website and phone system with it. For me, it was a great laptop replacement but I wouldn't want to go down to a smaller screen.

I can see that for business use the bigger screen is better.
This wouldn't apply to me.

harrythebee

Tablets are ideal for web browsing, watching videos and playing around with apps and games. They are not so great for typing anything of any length etc. The only thing about the Apple vs Android thing to bear in mind is that once you choose one of them you will probably remain with that choice for subsequent tablets due to stacking up apps etc, so have a good think about it beforehand.

Lagoon

jackieblack wrote: »

I'm thinking that the Wi-Fi will probably do me fine. I don't think I'd use 3G enough to want to pay a monthly charge (which is how I'm guessing it would work? :huh:)

You can get monthly contracts, but in my case I got a free PAYG SIM from O2. It costs £2.04 for 24 hours' access as and when I need it, with no other costs. For me that's useful, as I'm often out and about, but there's no point paying for a 3G iPad if you're not going to need it.

Regarding Facetime, I've never used it myself but would imagine it would be just as demanding as Skype. Someone else is I'm sure much better placed to answer that one!

Lagoon

Meanwhile, if you really do just want this as an addition to your laptop for the basics, why not take a look at this?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sumvision-Cyclone-Voyager-Android-Capacitive/dp/B00A4D33K2

I know a few people who have it, and would recommend it for the price.

It's not going to be the best, but it's much cheaper. It also has expandable memory, and a USB port, both of which sound useful to you.